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Sex hormones and brain dopamine functions
Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate, Gonzalo Cruz, Georgina M Renard
1Laboratorio de Neuroquimica y Neurofarmacologia, CNPC, Instituto de Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de Valparaiso. Av. Gran Bretana N°1111, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Postal code: 2360102, Chile. ramon.sotomayor@uv.cl.
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|December 27, 2014
Summary
Sex hormones impact brain function, influencing behaviors and neurochemistry, particularly dopamine pathways. Research explores their role in motivated behaviors and addiction, including effects of early-life exposures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neurobiology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Sex hormones act as neuroactive steroids, regulating neuroendocrine and extra-hypothalamic brain structures.
- These hormones influence behaviors like memory, learning, mood, and reward.
- Research has focused on sex hormone effects on monoamine neurotransmitters in motivated behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of sex hormone effects on neurochemical regulation in dopaminergic midbrain areas.
- To examine the role of these effects in neurobiological and pathological processes, including drug addiction.
- To discuss the long-term impacts of neonatal exposure to sex hormones or endocrine disruptors on dopaminergic neurons.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on sex hormones and neurochemistry.
- Analysis of research on dopaminergic systems in limbic and midbrain areas.
- Examination of studies on neonatal exposure effects.
Main Results:
- Sex hormones differentially affect various tissues, including the brain.
- They regulate hypothalamic functions and influence cortical, limbic, and midbrain structures.
- Long-term neurochemical changes can result from early-life hormonal or chemical exposures.
Conclusions:
- Sex hormones are crucial regulators of neurochemical pathways, especially dopaminergic systems.
- Understanding these effects is vital for neurobiological and pathological processes like addiction.
- Neonatal exposures can lead to lasting alterations in brain function.
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